Did you know that essential oils have been used for centuries as stimulating aphrodisiacs and also to generate feelings of relaxation to help with moments of intimacy, romance and love?
Essential oils are well known for their therapeutic benefits in other areas - respiratory health, insomnia etc but many people are not aware that specific oils also have effective aphrodisiac properties. Certain essential oils have the ability to evoke feelings of love and passion, making them ideal for setting a romantic mood during a special intimate moment like a Valentine's Day dinner, a wedding proposal, a birthday celebration etc.
There are various ways to use these sensual essential oils - adding them to a bath, infusing them in candles or room mists etc. However, the most beautiful way to use aphrodisiac oils is in a massage blend, where the essential oils are diluted in a base oil and applied directly to the body through the use of relaxing touch. Touch (or massage) in this instance is a great way to not only absorb and inhale the oils, but also to relax the body completely and generate an intimate connection with your romantic partner.
Here's a low down on my favourite essential oils for romance and love:
Black Pepper - a spicy, warming and energising oil. This is a great one to use if you are feeling a little tired and in need of stimulation to get your blood flowing and your pulse racing. Black pepper contains myristin which has vasodilatory and smooth muscle relaxant properties — two properties known to support the mechanics of physical arousal. Increasing black pepper in your diet in addition to using it in a massage oil is thought to be a boost to longevity of sexual performance! Use with caution as this oil is a skin sensitiser and needs to be diluted with care.
Neroli - with a sweet and enchanting floral aroma, Neroli is derived from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, and is known for it's ability to evoke feelings of warmth and affection. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, and is a well known confidence boosting oil, allowing partners to connect more deeply and authentically with fewer inhibitions, worries and fears.
Ylang Ylang - derived from the tropical flowers of the Cananga tree native to the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, this oil has a deeply floral and seductive aroma and invokes feelings of passion and strength. The flowers have been traditionally used for centuries to increase sexual desire and reduce sexual anxiety, in a remedy that involves the maceration of the flowers in coconut oil before use as a massage treatment. The oil is incredibly strong and potent in aroma - it is not good to use if you have a headache due to the intensity (and passion!) of it's smell.
Benzoin - another warm and slightly spicy oil, with vanilla undertones. Benzoin is a scented gum extracted from a tropical tree found in Thailand and Indonesia and has been used locally in potent traditional remedies with aphrodisiac results. With a warming scent, the oil encourages blood flow, stimulation and relaxation - all of which are needed for intimacy in the bedroom.
Ginger - like black pepper, this spicy and warming oil is great for energising and encouraging the flow of Chi or life force - all of which are vital in moments of passion. It's been used as an aphrodisiac herb for many years in Chinese medicine and the essential oil carries the same properties as the root. The warmth of the oil helps to create a sense of intimacy and energy and as Ginger is a circulatory stimulant. It encourages the flow of blood to get to all the right places. As with black pepper, use with caution as this oil is a skin sensitisier and needs to be diluted with care.
Geranium - this well known oil isn't the first you will find on an aphrodisiac oils hit list, but any oil that creates a feeling of balance and relaxation without making your partner (or yourself) feel at all sleepy is a great one to include in a loving blend. Gentle geranium does just that - balances the emotions, calms down the nervous system and generally creates a feeling of peace and wellbeing.
Jasmine - originating from the Himalayas and the moderate regions of China this is another oil with a sweet and exotic fragrance that has been used for erotic purposes for centuries within the regions from which it originated. Chinese medicine attributes feelings of increased desire and relaxation to the flower and the petals also represent new beginnings so it was often gifted to newly weds in the form of Jasmine tea.
If you are going to blend essential oils be sure to check out if any of the oils you are using have any sensitising issues (like black pepper, ginger etc) and dilute at a range of 20 drops per 100ml depending on the oils you are using.
Or (if you would like to forego any home blending) we always have our beautiful Kindred Spirits range available to buy. Kindred Spirits is infused with a unique blend of essential oils for romance and intimacy that have been expertly blended by our in-house aromatherapist Marie. We particularly love the boxed set which comes with yummy chocolate, mood arousing mist and sensual massage oil. More on Kindred Spirits here
There are other oils out there that other aromatherapists will no doubt prefer to my own list - Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver spring to mind, but these are my favourites and I hope you've found the info interesting!
As always, do get in touch if you have any questions
Marie @ Bloom
xx